Page 9 of My Return to the Walter Boys
“That’s a common misconception. It’s actually in the water, not the baby gravy.”
My nose wrinkled. The reason Nathan and I clicked so well was because he was mature for his age, but every once in a while, he’d saysomething that reminded me he was, in fact, a teenage guy, one who was related to Isaac. “First off, gross. Please don’t ever say that again. Second, if that’s the case, I’m ready for my glow up.”
He laughed. “Sorry, but you have to live here for longer than a few months for the magic to work.”
“Well, I don’t have plans to leave anytime soon.”
“Good. Things haven’t been the same without you.” Nathan paused, then let his head roll to the side so he could get a good look at me. “Did it help, going home?”
“A bit. Being in our apartment again brought up all sorts of memories, so it was…rough at the beginning. Danny was a lifesaver, though. Having him around really helped.” I paused and took a deep lungful of air, not ready yet to get into the details. “Enough about me. How was your summer?”
“As previously mentioned, awkward.” Nathan sighed as he fiddled with his necklace, sliding the guitar pick back and forth on its chain. “Other than that, there’s not much to tell. It’s just been me chilling in the loft.”
“That’s it?” I asked skeptically. Surely, something exciting happened.
“I got into sudoku.” He motioned to a paper book of number puzzles lying nearby. “Does that count?”
Judging by the way Nathan was avoiding eye contact, he clearly didn’t want to talk about himself. And now that I thought about it, he’d been light on detail whenever we spoke over the phone, alwaysdirecting the conversation back to me. The curious part of me wanted to push for a real answer, but my logical side was quick to point out the hypocrisy. After all, hadn’t I just changed the subject to dodge his question?
“Of course it does,” I told him. “So what’s this I hear about a block party?”
This perked Nathan up. “It’s Copper Valley’s annual end-of-summer bash. Happens on the second to last Saturday before school starts. There are food trucks, live music, and games for kids. Some of us like to act like we’re too cool to go, but everyone always does.”
“Everyone…including Cole?”
The instant the words left my mouth, Nathan arched an eyebrow. I swallowed and dropped my gaze to my lap.God, I thought as I wrung my hands together,can I be any more pathetic?Here I was, back for less than a day and already questioning Cole’s brothers about him. I couldn’t help it, though. The fluttering feeling that unfurled in my chest the moment I landed in Denver was only getting worse the more I anticipated seeing him again.
“Still haven’t talked to him, huh?”
Groaning, I collapsed back against the threadbare cushions. “I amsonot having this conversation with you.”
Nathan smirked—good grief, he looks so much like Cole when he does that!—but let it drop. “To answer your question, no. I doubt he’ll be there. He’s too busy working. If he’s not at Tony’s, he’s lifeguarding at the community pool or picking up a shift at the Gas Exchange. Wedon’t see him much, but he always comes home on Friday for dinner. I don’t think he’ll be here tonight, though. He mentioned something about packing up his apartment.”
Although I knew Cole would be starting college, an inevitability that I’d factored in during my many soul-searching sessions over the course of summer, my stomach still clenched when faced with concrete proof that he was leaving. The Walter household would feellesswithout him here. And if he wasn’t coming back to the ranch tonight, did that mean I wouldn’t see him for an entire week? God, I could kick myself for being too chicken to send him a text. Waiting that long might kill me.
I wanted to press for more details, but a crackly, disembodied voice suddenly spoke from somewhere inside the couch.
“Jack for Nathan. Come in, Nathan.”
Nathan sat up and dug around in the pillows until he found a walkie-talkie, which he brought up to his mouth before pressing the talk button. “Go for Jack.”
“Dinner will be ready in five.”
“Thanks. Ten-four, out,” he said, then tossed the device onto the coffee table.
“What’s up with the walkie-talkie?” I asked.
“My dad bought a bunch of them for Zack and Benny’s Cub Scout group. It was part of earning their radio merit badge. Service out here is crap, so they come in handy when someone up at the house wants to get a hold of me.” Nathan heaved himself off the couch before offeringme a hand. “Let’s head out. If we don’t hurry, the little heathens eat everything.”
***
The kitchen was the heart of the Walters’ household, so when Nathan and I walked in five minutes later, we were greeted by the usual chaos that occurred anytime the majority of the family gathered inside—laughter and horseplay and coinciding conversations. Dogs weaving underfoot as food was prepared. Music, bickering, and more laughter. It was hectic in a way that bordered on overwhelming while somehow still retaining an air of comfort and warmth.
The pantry door was wide open, and I watched as Benny boosted his twin up so he could reach a pack of Oreos on the top shelf. Will didn’t notice the cookie heist taking place right beside him because he was too busy whispering something in his wife Haley’s ear. I frowned at the sight of a bucket covering the faucet but then spotted George lying on the floor with his head inside the cabinet and a toolbox at his side.
“Aunt Kathy, we’re out of butter,” Lee said as he rummaged through the fridge. Tonight must have been his and Isaac’s turn to help with dinner, because the latter was slicing up a watermelon.
“No, we’re not,” she replied as she pulled a casserole out of the oven. “I bought some today. Out of the way, Jack. This is hot.” She moved the steaming dish to a waiting trivet, then added, “Did youcheck the fruit drawer? Zack and Benny helped me unload the groceries, and you know how that goes.”
